Philippe Petit
Celebrity
1949-08-13
Quotes by Philippe Petit
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It's impossible, that's for sure. So let's start working.
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It's impossible, that's for sure. So let's start working.
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Art is maybe a subversive activity. There is a certain rebellion when you are an artist at heart, even if only in the art of living.
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I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to solve all the problems around me.
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My first walk illegally at 20 years old was between the towers of Notre Dame.
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How could I share with you how I felt when two towers that I loved, two pieces of steel and glass and concrete fell down, when actually they took with them thousands of human lives? That is the actual tragedy. But those towers were almost human for me. I was in love with them, and that's why I married them with a tight rope.
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Right after my Twin Towers walk, I was approached by hundreds of people, and I said no to all the offers. I could have become a millionaire overnight, obviously, but I said no, and I continue to be uninterested.
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There was a time when fire and story would fall asleep in unison. It was dream time.
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Talking about theater, actually, I built a little barn in upstate New York, and I call it 'the smallest theater in the world,' but it has a mini stage and a red velvet curtain.
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It would be very, very dangerous for a wire walker to experience fear while he is balancing on the wire. Fear has its place on earth, before and maybe after a high-wire walk, but not during for me.
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Of course, the slightest little mistake on the wire will deprive me of my life, so in that sense, yes, it is a dangerous profession. You have to pay attention; if not, you will lose your life.
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If you see how carefully I prepare for any kind of walk, legal or illegal, small or big, you will see that, actually, I narrow the unknown to virtually nothing. And that's when I am ready to walk on the wire.
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I have a fear of water, believe it or not. To put a wire 12 feet over a swimming pool frightens me. I don't like water.
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If I am practicing on the wire, and you pushed me, I would not move, and if you take a piece of wood and beat me up on the shoulder and the head, I would not move. You would not put me out of balance. You would not be able to. I am solid as granite when I am on the tight rope, and I should be.
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I am the poet of the high wire - I never do stunts; I do theatrical performances.
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If I have to make a self-portrait, I would put poetry and rebellion on the list. To be able to walk on a wire, to be able to juggle six hoops, you need focus, another word for tenacity, which is passion.
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I am not up there by chance. I am there by choice. And I know the wire. And I know my limits. And I am a madman of details.
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As a high wire walker, I do not allow myself to 'leave the wire' during a performance.
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On a very long and very high wire, I will not hope to not be blown off by high winds. I will have the certitude that such could not happen.
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It is treacherous on a high wire to change your focus point and suddenly look down.
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